Not much has been written about the political newcomer. In an October 4 Miami Herald article, Segui informs reporter David Smiley that he owned a hotel in the Bahamas and a transportation company in Los Angeles, both of which he claims he sold to run for office. According to his campaign financial disclosure statement, he loaned himself $5,000.

Banana Republican can't help but wonder if that money came from worthless checks Segui cashed at banks in Coconut Grove, Miami Beach, and West Palm Beach. According to a Miami Police incident report, on December 9 last year, Segui walked into Coconut Grove Bank at 2701 S. Bayshore Dr. and cashed a check for $8,500. The problem was he didn't have any money to cover the funds.

One month later, Segui opened a new checking account at the TD Bank branch at 1661 Worthington Rd. in West Palm Beach. According to a police report from this past January 6, bank fraud investigator Mike Tucker told the cops that Segui "withdrew via ATM, check card transactions, and counter checking withdrawals prior to the checks returning 'insufficient funds,' resulting in loss."

Another report, from Miami Beach PD, says that this past January 15, Segui opened two business accounts at the Bal Harbour AmTrust Bank branch, where he deposited two bad checks totalling $9,500. Thirty-four days later, Segui withdrew $7,200 at the AmTrust branch at 447 Arthur Godfrey Rd. in Miami Beach. When bank officials attempted to contact Segui to get the money back, he didn't return their phone calls.

This past May 26, Segui opened an account at Sun American Bank at 555 Arthur Godfrey Rd. and deposited a check for $4,900. Two days later, he withdrew $4,500. According to the police report, "The check was accepted in good faith, but did not clear."

According to California court records, Segui filed for bankruptcy in 2002.

UPDATE: During a telephone conversation this afternoon, Segui insists the money he loaned his campaign is legitimate. "It is my own money from the businesses that I sold," he says, referring to the transportation company and the Bahamas hotel.

As far as cashing worthless checks at four south Florida banks, Segui says it is all a big misunderstanding. He acknowledges depositing a check with insufficient funds at Coconut Grove Bank and that he "had a problem with TD Bank and I'm going to pay the money back."

And if he owes money to AmTrust and Sun American, Segui says he "will pay it back with interest. It's not a big deal. And if the police want to talk to me they can call me."